intellect
gb/ˈɪntəlˌɛkt/ us/ˈɪntəlˌɛkt/
B2
English
~ 3200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
mental capacity for reasoning
The power to think and understand things well.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s intellect
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'intellect' with 'intellectual', which is an adjective or noun for a person with a developed mind.
Synonyms
intelligence (A broader term that can also cover practical problem-solving, not just reasoning ability.)
|
mind (More general and informal; can refer to thoughts or consciousness as well as reasoning ability.)
Antonyms
stupidity (A lack of intelligence or understanding.)
|
ignorance (Lack of knowledge or awareness, not necessarily mental ability.)
Collocations
sharp intellect
|keen intellect
|develop intellect
|intellectual capacity
|brilliant intellect
Themes
education
|psychology
|personal qualities
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Her intellect impressed everyone at the conference.
- The job requires not only skill but also a sharp intellect.
- He used his intellect to solve the complex problem quickly.
Learner examples
- She has a strong intellect.
- His intellect helps him learn fast.
- A good teacher can grow a child's intellect.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
2
highly intelligent person
A very intelligent person.
Usage pattern:
an intellect in [field]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize 'intellect' can refer to a person, not just the ability.
Synonyms
thinker (Someone who spends time thinking deeply, not necessarily of exceptional intelligence.)
|
scholar (An academic or learned person, often in a specific field.)
Antonyms
simpleton (A person lacking intelligence or common sense.)
Collocations
great intellect
|leading intellect
|towering intellect
Themes
education
|personal qualities
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Einstein was one of the greatest intellects of the 20th century.
- She is considered a leading intellect in modern philosophy.
- The debate attracted many brilliant young intellects.
Learner examples
- Einstein was a great intellect.
- She is an intellect in science.
- Many intellects came to the meeting.
Grammar
Dictionary form
intellect
IPA
GB/ˈɪntəlˌɛkt/
US/ˈɪntəlˌɛkt/
Syllables & stress
in - tel - lect (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (in)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: intellect
- Plural: intellect, intellects
Word family
Forms
intellects
noun
Core family
Related words
intellectually
adverb C1
Negative and opposite forms
unintelligent
adjective
unintelligently
adverb
Advanced or less common
intellectualize
verb
intellectualism
noun
Expressions
a battle of wits
1/ə bˈætəl əv wˈɪts/
idiom
contest of cleverness
A situation where two people try to be smarter than each other.
Examples
- The interview turned into a battle of wits between the journalist and the politician.
- It was a friendly battle of wits over dinner.
meet one's match intellectually
1/mˈit wˈʌnz mˈæt͡ʃ ˌɪntəlˈɛkt͡ʃuli/
fixed phrase
find equal in intelligence
To meet someone who is as smart as you are.
Examples
- He finally met his match intellectually when he joined the debate club.
- She had never met her match intellectually until she started working there.